During the summer months, North Carolina can be oppressively hot and humid, but it’s also lush, green, and packed with things to see and do. That’s especially true for Chapel Hill and Durham, part of the research triangle where the University of North Carolina and Duke University are based. While you’re visiting the area, you’re going to need wheels; why not have one that’s comfortable, elegant, and reliable, like the Mazda CX-90?
My family and I stayed in Chapel Hill and drove up to the Virginia International Raceway for a session with Teen Driving Solutions for my 15-year-old son. The driving school started at 8 a.m. sharp and finished before 5 p.m. both weekend days, and then we climbed back into the CX-90 to stay in our rental house.
Here’s what you need to know about the Mazda CX-90 to evaluate its suitability for your family.
The Mazda CX-90 Interior: Sophisticated Comfort
Mazda’s interiors are reliably sleek and beautifully styled. For $60,000, our CX-90 included seating for seven passengers, heated front seats, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, three-zone heating and cooling, and window shades for the second row.
Mazda CX-90 Engineering And Driver Assistance
If you’re driving the CX-90, you’re getting an SUV equipped with radar cruise control with stop and go ability, smart braking support, blind spot monitoring with vehicle exit warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist, plus rear seat alert, driver attention alert, and an anti-theft immobilizer system.
The CX-90 PHEV is powered by 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to complete the hybrid system. Use 91 octane fuel, and you’ll get 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. While I was driving it, the CX-90 accelerated evenly and easily with no drama. I didn’t need to haul a small camper or trailer this time, but if I had, the CX-90 could have towed up to 3,500 pounds.
Mazda Infotainment System Is Designed For Safety
Standard in every CX-90 PHEV is a 12.3-inch full color center display, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It all works well and phone pairings happen without a hitch. However, the CX-90 still uses Mazda’s command control knob in the console to control the system. It has long been my least favorite thing about Mazda vehicles, and I’m looking forward to the day the brand updates to a touchscreen.
Mazda has said for several years that it uses the command control knob to help keep the drivers’ eyes on the road. I can see the intent, and it’s a noble pursuit. For those who own a CX-90, they’ll likely set their favorites and carry on without any fuss.
Drive The CX-90 Straight To These Overnight Stays
We chose the Hyatt-owned Rizzo Center in Chapel Hill’s Meadowmont Village, which is just a few minutes from the blue-festooned campus of UNC. Rizzo Center was a hit with my teen and a good friend of his, as they enjoyed the gym, the basketball court, and the ice cream treats in the freezer on every floor.
While we were at the Virginia International Raceway, we rented the TrackOut house five minutes away from the track. This vacation home has eight separate bedrooms, all with full bathrooms en suite, or you can rent out the entire house. It has a full kitchen and motorsports-themed decor, and you can’t beat the proximity if you’re going to the Teen Driving Solutions advanced driving school or to run some laps in your own car. Don’t race the Mazda CX-90 on the track, though. Save those tires for the drive home.